Orlando Pirates players Kermit Erasmus, Zakhele Lepasa, Richard Ofori and Deon Hotto. Images: @orlandopirates/X.
Big mistake? Orlando Pirates letting go of Mr Reliable
A winter of upheaval at Pirates looms large.
Orlando Pirates players Kermit Erasmus, Zakhele Lepasa, Richard Ofori and Deon Hotto. Images: @orlandopirates/X.
Orlando Pirates are at a crossroads with several stars on the wrong side of 30. Will they regret letting Deon Hotto go?
Hotto is unlikely to extend his contract
Hotto, a star for Namibia at Afcon 2023, has been a rock-solid operator down the left-hand side of the Pirates team. Equally adept in defence or midfield, he’s a manager’s dream. At 33, however, his contract expires in June and is unlikely to be extended. The vastly-experienced star has 65 caps and 10 goals for his country. He’s also made 23 appearances in the DStv Premiership this season, not missing a single game, scoring a goal and supplying five assists. To say he’ll be difficult to replace is a gross understatement.
Experienced stars face an uncertain future
33-year-old Kermit Erasmus is out of contract at the end of the campaign. ”Romeo’ joined the Buccaneers from Sundowns in September 2022 after feverish speculation linking him with a switch to Kaizer Chiefs. The seasoned striker has spent stints in France, Portugal and the Netherlands before settling back into South African football in 2019. It’s anyone’s bet where he could end up in 2024-25, but it’s unlikely he’ll still be a Buccaneer after a second stint with the Soweto Giants. Other senior players with expiring contracts are Hotto, Richard Ofori, Siyabonga Mpontshane, Thabang Monare and Fortune Makaringe. Meanwhile, Olisa Ndah, Sandile Mthethwa and Zakhele Lepasa also need to renew their terms otherwise they’ll leave for free. The club has reportedly secured a permanent move for Thalente Mbatha with the 24-year-old impressing on-loan from SuperSport.
ORLANDO PIRATES FIXTURES: NEXT FIVE TESTS
- Sat 20 Apr vs AmaZulu (H) – 17:30
- Sun 28 Apr vs Royal AM (A) – 15:00
- Wed 01 May vs Cape Town City (A) – 15:00
- Sat 04 May vs Chippa (A) – 15:00 (Nedbank Cup semi-final)
- Sat 11 May vs Richards Bay (H) – 20:00
In the meantime, Chippa United, rumoured to be facing an uphill struggle to keep hold of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, are the confirmed underdogs for their Nedbank Cup semi-final clash with the Buccaneers on 4 May. To add more spice to the occasion, they’ve reportedly been sniffing around Pirates’ third-choice ‘keeper Richard Ofori. The Ghanaian is seen as an ideal replacement should Super Eagles star Nwabali leave the Chilli Boys.
Who of these players do you think Pirates should keep on their books? Let us know in the comments section below.
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